I recently took my daughter to Tygerberg Hospital as she needed to consult a specialist – an expert in his field whom we were fortunate to see. As I walked through the corridors looking for the right floor, I realised just how privileged my life is compared to the lives of many others.
We saw the doctor within an hour-and-a-half, having made an appointment before the time. Many people in the hospital were not so lucky and had been waiting all day to see a doctor – many of these people had children who were seriously ill or disabled.
As I sat in the waiting area it dawned on me – I am so fortunate to have tertiary education, a car, private healthcare, and a good roof over my head. Many other people in our country are not so fortunate.
There is so much that all of us have to be grateful for: we have access to good nutritious food, we are able to give our children a well-rounded education, and we don’t want for very much in our daily lives.
Next time you’re feeling down about your life, take a trip to a place like a hospital, a school for disabled children, or your local social welfare office , and you’ll be instantly reminded just how lucky you are to lead the life you do. Realising how fortunate we are should also inspire us to help those who are less fortunate, through donations, volunteering, or raising awareness for the great causes and charities that we support.
If you’d like to make a big difference in someone else’s life, there is so much you can do. Anonymous giving is a great first step, followed by volunteering a few hours of your time each week at a charity or NGO of your choice. By recognising the benefits you enjoy in your own life, you can help someone else to make the best of theirs.
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